mmarie
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Post by mmarie on Jun 14, 2017 6:02:08 GMT -6
Crayola place and underwater world are nice too if you end up at MOA. If you buy tickets ahead of time, it's saves a few bucks plus you don't have to wait in line. It seems like they always have some sort deal or promotion going on too so check their websites ahead of time.
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jedi
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Post by jedi on Jun 14, 2017 6:06:52 GMT -6
I'm not sure how old your kids are but there is an indoor playground in Minnetonka called Inneractive. I've taken my 5 yr old age almost 2 yr old.
My oldest wasn't a fan of crayola experience in the MOA but he's not artsy. We had free tickets otherwise it would have been a waste. Check Groupon if you go. They sometimes have discounts.
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Post by holachica on Jun 14, 2017 6:09:31 GMT -6
I went to mall of America with my family when I was younger. I'm from Chicago and leaning towards not going... all my shopping needs are met here and with the 2 yr old and 8 mo old, I'm not really interested in the theme park. Thoughts? I think we'd rather do outdoors stuff.
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mmarie
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Post by mmarie on Jun 14, 2017 6:21:19 GMT -6
I went to mall of America with my family when I was younger. I'm from Chicago and leaning towards not going... all my shopping needs are met here and with the 2 yr old and 8 mo old, I'm not really interested in the theme park. Thoughts? I think we'd rather do outdoors stuff. there's a ton of things to do outdoors in that area. I don't go to MOA to shop. We go for the attractions. We all enjoy them. If your not into it, there's plenty of other things to do! |
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brux
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Post by brux on Jun 14, 2017 8:06:44 GMT -6
I would avoid the Children's Museum because it's just reopened and it'll probably be bonkers. +1 to Minnehaha Falls. There is a fabulous playground and free little pool there, a restaurant with beer in addition to the falls and walking trails. Surly is the ideal brewery/restaurant for kids. There are also a good number of breweries down by the Twins stadium. Finally, downtown Minneapolis by the river is great. Mill City Museum, a farmer's market, Stone Arch Bridge, go out on the balcony at the Guthrie Theater, run around Gold Medal Park and get ice cream at Izzy's. I would second all of this. Also, I'd add: Como Zoo, the related amusement park, and have a meal at Como Dockside, a restaurant on Como Lake which is near the zoo Science Museum or Children's Museum if you want something indoors. Both are downtown St. Paul. I'm meh on Teddy Bear Park in Stillwater. It's fine, but Stillwater is a hike from Downtown Mpls and it's a touristy antique shopping town on a river. DS and I spent an afternoon there last summer and he had fun, but if I only had three days, it wouldn't make my list. |
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brux
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Post by brux on Jun 14, 2017 8:09:19 GMT -6
As for places to stay - are you driving or flying in?
Either way, I think I'd stay near the MOA or in Downtown Minneapolis.
The only caveat about MOA is there are some hotels near there that cater more to drugs/prostitution and it's a little hard to know what's like that just by googling. Or get an Airbnb house in St. Paul or Minneapolis. I could help screen neighborhoods, if that's something you're looking at.
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Post by prontopup on Jun 14, 2017 8:12:38 GMT -6
The Como zoo also has shuttle buses that will help with parking. The Twins games can be a bit spendy, depending on who they are playing. The St Paul Saints try to do fireworks on Friday nights and those are in downtown St Paul. Basically, brux and @rocksforludo covered a lot of what I was going to suggest. |
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brux
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Post by brux on Jun 14, 2017 8:14:02 GMT -6
Twins games are fun, though more for adults. There is no kids play area.
Saints games are much more family friendly and cheaper.
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mrsbliz
Silver
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Post by mrsbliz on Jun 14, 2017 8:33:53 GMT -6
We went to a twin's game with my kids, 4.5 and 3, and they did fine. But it wasn't very kid friendly and kind of expensive for them. It's still 20-30 a ticket. Our seats were in the nosebleeds (maybe 10 down from the very top) and I think they were 28 a ticket. It was Superhero day and it captivated them a little but not much.
I also wouldn't go to MOA unless it's for the underwater thing or the Crayola. It is really very crowded and what kid's like to shop, or maybe mine are just broken!
We like the MN zoo, but it can also be expensive. We went to Como for the first time last year and it was good, but a lot busier than the MN zoo. The parking was insane, so be prepared to walk a ways to even get in. But we went on the weekend so a weekday might be different.
There is a MOA water park hotel right near MOA. Never stayed there, but it has the water park for the kids.
There are lots of lakes that would have parks that you could utilize or even swim on the lakefront.
The Mill City Museum is pretty neat. I went there without kids, but if I remember correctly there are some kid activities there.
What about Fort Snelling?
I don't live in the cities, but we travel up there often for some of these activities with the kids. Also, I 2nd that Valleyfair isn't really beneficial unless they are old enough, tall enough and willing to ride all the more extreme rides.
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Post by sunfrogger on Jun 14, 2017 9:05:59 GMT -6
@ashleymarie26 (did you make it over here?)
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brux
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Post by brux on Jun 14, 2017 9:18:15 GMT -6
There is a MOA water park hotel right near MOA. Never stayed there, but it has the water park for the kids. The Mill City Museum is pretty neat. I went there without kids, but if I remember correctly there are some kid activities there. The water park hotel is out of business. The Mill City museum is pretty cool. I took DS there this winter and was strangely entertained by how he enjoyed the place. It's not super kid friendly, but there are a couple things for them to play with and enough to keep their interest. |
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mrsbliz
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Post by mrsbliz on Jun 14, 2017 9:36:43 GMT -6
brux, well crap, I had no idea. That just shows how much I go over there, lol We are typically down by Bloomington/Savage or up by Brooklyn Park.
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dragonflyinn
Emerald
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Post by dragonflyinn on Jun 14, 2017 11:16:04 GMT -6
I would avoid the Children's Museum because it's just reopened and it'll probably be bonkers. +1 to Minnehaha Falls. There is a fabulous playground and free little pool there, a restaurant with beer in addition to the falls and walking trails. Surly is the ideal brewery/restaurant for kids. There are also a good number of breweries down by the Twins stadium. Finally, downtown Minneapolis by the river is great. Mill City Museum, a farmer's market, Stone Arch Bridge, go out on the balcony at the Guthrie Theater, run around Gold Medal Park and get ice cream at Izzy's. I agree with all of these suggestions!! I went to college in the cities. Such a fun place! |
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Post by prontopup on Jun 14, 2017 11:28:03 GMT -6
The shuttle bus for Como zoo is located across the street from the state fair grounds. It is a lot easier than trying to find parking.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2017 11:41:52 GMT -6
It is the superior city. 😂 Preach. |
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adelbert
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Post by adelbert on Jun 14, 2017 11:52:36 GMT -6
These are the places I've enjoyed visiting with my boys (they've been between 0-6 during visits) - Como Zoo (better during the week) - Fort Snelling (actually way more interesting then I thought it would be) - Mill City Museum (also a nice area to hang out) - Children's Museum (always during the week or in the evening) - Minnehaha Depot (Only if your kids are into trains- I was so bored but my boys loved it). - We like walking around the Walker Art Sculpture garden - There is other stuff I can't think of now- we stop at lots of local parks and playgrounds. - Restaurants- brux and @rocksforludo , will have better ideas I always just go to wherever my friends suggest at the time. Lots of places have nice outdoor seating which I always find more relaxing with the kids. The only thing I wouldn't suggest is the MN zoo because it is really spread out and I think kind of meh and Stillwater because I think it is overrated. I would much rather head to lake Harriet or Calhoun ( brux or @rocksforludo can tell you which is more family friendly). I also think going on a food tour would be super fun and allow you to see some cool neighborhoods, although if you don't have a babysitter available that might not work. P.S. My H and I did a Segway tour in Duluth and thought it was actually super amusing. Again something you would need a babysitter for but I know a friend of mine did one in the Cities and had fun. |
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tmg
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Post by tmg on Jun 14, 2017 12:01:30 GMT -6
You've gotten lots of good advice.
Como Zoo is a hit for us too. It has a small splash pad as well.
The St Paul Saints games are great. There new field is right in downtown St. Paul, so it can be fun to go down there to eat and walk over.
Stillwater can be nice, but it's pretty far from Mpls and it would be a lot of walking. But the river and bluffs are beautiful.
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teatime
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Post by teatime on Jun 14, 2017 12:10:45 GMT -6
This all sounds great! I'm here reading and LT-ing and will be glad to have this thread for planning.
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tmg
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Post by tmg on Jun 14, 2017 12:15:15 GMT -6
It is the superior city. 😂 I feel so torn. I would have agreed with you a few years ago because I grew up on the St. Paul side, but am in Mpls much more and have grown to love it. |
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brux
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Post by brux on Jun 14, 2017 12:23:58 GMT -6
It is the superior city. 😂 I feel so torn. I would have agreed with you a few years ago because I grew up on the St. Paul side, but am in Mpls much more and have grown to love it. hip hip hooray! hooray! I agreeeee |
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brux
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Post by brux on Jun 14, 2017 12:24:17 GMT -6
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fatpony
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Post by fatpony on Jun 14, 2017 12:29:17 GMT -6
They also just reopened the St. Anthony falls lock and dam for public tours, so that might be interesting.
+10000 to Ward 6. The reubens there are STELLAR. Also the Bloody Mary's are some of my favorites.
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Post by prontopup on Jun 14, 2017 12:30:32 GMT -6
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tmg
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Post by tmg on Jun 14, 2017 12:32:45 GMT -6
Come to Mpls! We have men in jorts for everyone!
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Post by 4PrivetDrive on Jun 14, 2017 12:49:27 GMT -6
My friends run the food trucks O'Cheeze (gourmet grilled cheese) and Dough Dough (cookie dough).
I have tried Dough Dough yet because it's new, but O'Cheeze is amazing and they park at different breweries!
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brux
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Post by brux on Jun 14, 2017 12:53:37 GMT -6
My friends run the food trucks O'Cheeze (gourmet grilled cheese) and Dough Dough (cookie dough). I have tried Dough Dough yet because it's new, but O'Cheeze is amazing and they park at different breweries! oh hello, my new best friend. I die for the Big Stink at o'cheeze. and Dough Dough is pretty solid, too. |
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tmg
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Post by tmg on Jun 14, 2017 13:38:06 GMT -6
My friends run the food trucks O'Cheeze (gourmet grilled cheese) and Dough Dough (cookie dough). I have tried Dough Dough yet because it's new, but O'Cheeze is amazing and they park at different breweries! What?! I've been longing to try Dough Dough ever since it started. |
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trtlcrzy
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Post by trtlcrzy on Jun 14, 2017 13:47:58 GMT -6
I took my daughter to the cities a month before her 2nd birthday and she loved the aquarium at MOA, that's a must do if you go there.
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McBenny
Unicorn
#sickomode
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Post by McBenny on Jul 19, 2017 15:01:38 GMT -6
Admincan we move this thread to the travel board now that it's dead so the info can be in one area?
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Post by holachica on Jul 24, 2017 15:16:11 GMT -6
Bumping. We're going this weekend! We're staying at the Embassy Suites Downtown...so far we have a day planned for Minnehaha Falls, a day to go to breweries and a day visiting our friends there. We plan on eating at Surly, Revival, Sea Salt when we're at Minnehaha... any other must do recs for food (ideally within 20 minutes of the hotel)? We have a 2.5 yr old and 9 month old. We're good with all types of food. Also, any other good family friendly breweries (we're planning on going to a few Friday afternoon)?
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